BC PNP

BC Provincial Nominee Program: Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration
A man in a suit
British Columbia’s economic growth depends on having enough skilled and qualified people to meet labor market needs. The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a way for high-demand foreign workers and experienced entrepreneurs to gain permanent residency in B.C.
BC PNP - SKILLS IMMIGRATION

The Skills Immigration (SI) stream of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is for people with the skills, experience and qualifications needed by B.C. employers. If you would like to settle in B.C., the SI stream can help you become a permanent resident.

Key points

  • A paper application process for applying to IRCC for permanent residence.
  • IRCC processing times differ from applications for permanent residency under Express Entry.
  • Is for all eligible occupations in the (National Occupational Classification Matrix skill level 0, A, B, C and D).
  • Does not require applicants in some categories to have prior work experience, although experience can benefit your application.

Main categories

  • Skilled Worker
  • Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
  • Healthcare Professional
  • International Graduate
  • International Post-Graduate
BC PNP - EXPRESS ENTRY BC

If you are eligible for the Express Entry BC (EEBC) stream of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), which connects to the federal Express Entry system, it’s your way to obtain the Permanent Residence.

Key points

  • An online application process for applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
  • Faster processing by IRCC of permanent residence applications.
  • Is only for skilled occupations (National Occupational Classification Matrix skill level 0, A or B).
  • Requires applicants to meet the minimum criteria for one of IRCC’s federal economic immigration programs, including work experience, language and settlement funds.

Main categories

  • Skilled Worker
  • Healthcare Professional
  • International Graduate
  • International Post-Graduate
ABOUT MAIN CATEGORIES FOR BC PNP
SKILLED WORKER: British Columbia’s growing economy requires skilled workers in high-demand occupations. The Skills Immigration (SI) – Skilled Worker category of the BC Provincial Nominee Program is a way for workers in a professional, management, technical, trade or other skilled occupation to gain permanent residence in B.C. (NOC 0, A, B) To qualify, you must first accept a valid job offer from a B.C. employer. You also need relevant training and experience. Note: Express Entry BC connects to IRCC Express Entry system to speed up the permanent residence process.
ENTRY LEVEL AND SEMI-SKILLED category of the BC Provincial Nominee Program is a way for workers in a valid tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking or food processing occupation to gain permanent residence in B.C. (NOC C and D) To qualify, you must first accept a valid job offer from a B.C. employer. Note: this category is not eligible under the Express Entry BC stream.
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL category of the BC Provincial Nominee Program helps physicians, specialists, nurses and allied health professionals work in B.C. and gain permanent residence. Note: Express Entry BC connects to IRCC Express Entry system to speed up the permanent residence process.
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE category of the BC Provincial Nominee Program can help you gain permanent residence in B.C., if you graduated with a valid qualification from an eligible Canadian university or college within the last three years. Note: Express Entry BC connects to IRCC Express Entry system to speed up the permanent residence process.
INTERNATIONAL POST-GRADUATE category of the BC Provincial Nominee Program can help you gain permanent residence in B.C., if you have a graduate degree in the sciences from an eligible B.C. institution and consider advancing your career in B.C.’s growing technology, health care, and applied sciences sectors. You don’t need a job offer to apply. Note: Express Entry BC connects to IRCC Express Entry system to speed up the permanent residence process.